Hi, I’m Erik
Human, MA, LPCC
My name is Erik Wardell (he/him) and I’m a male therapist in Carbondale, CO. After nearly a decade in a career that wasn’t for me, my heart told me it was time to get out. Following a period of in-depth soul-searching, I realized that I belong in a helping profession.
So, I decided to go back to school and complete a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. Today, I’m a Licensed Professional Counseling Candidate (LPCC) practicing under the supervision of Ashley Mauldin, MA, LPC, EMDR and Jarid Rollins, MA, LCSW. More importantly, I’m a human, a healer, a guide, and an unshakable believer in your innate goodness.
I believe that pain, struggles, and confusion are uncomfortable yet inevitable—and even necessary—parts of the human experience. The good news is that we have a choice in how we respond to these truths. We can choose to dance with discomfort and uncertainty, or we can let them ruin this little miracle we call life.
At the end of the day, it’s a decision each one of us gets to make. I’m here to support the people who want to learn how to tolerate and work with the pain, struggles, and confusion. Are you one of those people?
My Philosophy
I believe there's a spark of goodness and wholeness in all of us, including you. Maybe you haven't felt it in a while. Maybe it feels buried under everything you've been carrying. But it's still there. An ember waiting to be fanned.
Deep down, you also carry your own wisdom and your own power to guide and heal yourself. These aren't things you have to earn. They're your birthrights, simply waiting to be rediscovered and lived.
Being human in this world is messy and confusing, and it's easy to lose touch with what's already good and whole inside us. As your counselor, my job isn't to hand you answers. It's to help us create the conditions where you can find your way back home to the truth of who you are.
We'll go at whatever pace feels right for you. Together, we'll gently uncover the emotions and strengths already part of you, even the ones tucked away under pain, fear, or old habits of self-protection. You won't have to do this alone. I'll be right there with you, helping you feel safe enough to open up, heal, and grow.
My hope is that this work helps you feel more grounded, more like yourself, more connected, so you can move through life feeling clear, whole, and true to who you really are.
Professionally
When it comes to my therapeutic style, I will connect with you on a very human level with the utmost compassion for what you are going through. I will look at the totality of who you are. This means taking into account your history, culture, relationships, physiology, psychology, spirituality, sexuality, coping skills, trauma, and lifestyle. And, how they impact you and your struggles.
I’m not interested in merely alleviating the symptoms of your mental and emotional strife. I’m interested in helping you get to the heart of your struggles so you can address them at the root level and transform your life.
There are few things in life I love as much as connecting and going deep with other curious humans. I especially enjoy working with adult women and men, teens, dads, parents, and families.
I primarily practice using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and grief and loss counseling to help people get where they are going. When working with families, I’m trained in Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and lean heavily on a family systems approach.
Personally
I have the best job in the world being a husband and the father of two young children. I’m also a potter, gardener, meditator, outdoor enthusiast, athlete, coach, and perpetually curious human. I love participating in and facilitating peer groups for men and teens, and have been through my share of struggles as an adolescent and young adult. I bring all of this lived experience into my work and take pride in my ability to have deep compassion for the struggles of others.
Pricing & Logistics
When you choose to work with me, you can be certain that I will be deeply invested in helping you succeed in therapy as quickly as possible. I charge a rate of $190/session for individual and $220/session for family counseling. Both are the standard 50 min therapy hour. I also offer 90-minute individual sessions for $285. I have needs-based sliding scale pricing available, please ask about it if you have a need. I offer in-person sessions at my office in Carbondale or telehealth via a HIPAA-compliant platform called SimplePractice.
Major Influences
Biological/Physiological:
Gabor Maté, Bessel van der Kolk, Peter Levine, Stephen Porges, Solea Anani,
Psychological:
C.G. Jung, Viktor Frankl, Irvin Yalom, Daniel Siegel, Lisa Miller, Bill Plotkin, Diana Fosha, Erick Godsey
Social/Relational:
John Bowlby, Edward Tronick, Mary Ainsworth, Brené Brown, Bruce Perry, John & Julie Gottman, Sue Johnson, Ed Tronick
Spiritual/Contemplative:
Buddha, Patanjali, Jesus Christ, Lao Tzu, Ram Dass, Richard Rohr, Mary Oliver, William Stafford, Jack Kornfield, Pema Chödrön, Alan Watts, S.N. Goenka, Gregory Boyle, Joseph Campbell
What Other Therapists Say
“I have known Erik for years and have seen his professionalism and therapy skills shine forward as a counselor. He has been able to help so many individuals and families overcome issues from depression to how to better communicate and meet the needs of a diverse family members.”
- Jarid Rollins, LCSW
“I wholeheartedly recommend Erik as a therapist to any client. Erik has a genuine warmth that can’t be taught, which allows for immediate comfort and ease of therapeutic depth. In addition to his incredibly kind demeanor, Erik is a professional. Erik has experience in multiple therapeutic settings and takes it upon himself to continuously grow and learn as a clinician. As a clinician myself, I have had the privilege of witnessing clients seek out Erik who have historically been reluctant to therapy. I emphatically trust Erik as a clinician and human!
- Rachael Bronk, LCSW
“Erik Wardell is extremely professional and brings a warm and positive vibe to his practice. He is very considerate and has high ethical standards. I would highly recommend his services to anyone looking for a skilled clinician who provides a safe outlet to process difficult emotions and work through various challenges.”
- Laura Irmen, LPC
I’ve had the privilege to professionally collaborate with Erik many times! He’s grounded, intelligent and an overall incredible male therapist.
- Kate Andraschko, LCSW
“Erik is an excellent, caring, compassionate therapist.”
-Joe Carlson, ADDC